TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 convenes AI-native startups in Boston
The TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 will bring founders and investors to Boston's SoWa Power Station from November 1-7 for sessions on AI-native building, fundraising, and leadership.
The TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 will take place at the SoWa Power Station in Boston. The main event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, with a full week of activities running from November 1 to 7.
Leading AI founders and investors will discuss building AI-native companies from day one. The agenda includes sessions on product-market fit, market-creating technology solutions, and GraphRAG in action. Key speakers include Lior Div, co-founder and CEO of 7AI, and Chase Garbarino, co-founder and CEO of HqO. Garbarino will discuss building a category-defining company outside Silicon Valley after raising $200 million and scaling to over 30 countries.
Key Speakers and Topics
Steve Fredette, Co-founder and Director at Toast, will discuss keeping companies relevant amid evolving technologies. Kent Bennett of Bessemer Venture Partners will focus on finding product-market fit before scaling. Fundraising strategies will be a core theme. Vineet Edupuganti, co-founder and CEO of Cogent Security, will evaluate investors and cap-table trade-offs beyond valuation. Brian Devaney, partner at Underscore, will outline the new rules of raising capital and where founders lose leverage.
Talent acquisition is another critical topic. Melissa Taunton, partner at NEA, will discuss how leading startups identify and hire the right talent in a tight market. Vineet Edupuganti will also share insights on building high-performing teams with ambition. On the investor side, Tina Tosukhowong, investment director at TDK Ventures, will talk about spotting the 'King of the Hill' company. Dave Balter, Partner at TrueVentures and CEO of Edisyl, will emphasize making pitches spark continued conversation.
Networking and Engagement
Networking will be facilitated via the Braindate app. The event will include breakout sessions for intimate panel discussions. It will also feature the 'So You Think You Can Pitch?' competition, where three early-stage startups will pitch in four minutes each. Interactive product demos from Boston’s leading physical AI startup scene will be available during Founder Summit week.
Pricing and Access Options
Tickets are available at tiered pricing. A 25% discount is available using a provided link or the code CIO25. Group bundles for four or more offer additional discounts. Volunteers can attend for free and receive behind-the-scenes access; the volunteer application period closes on October 19.
| Ticket Tier | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investor | $399 | $100 discount available |
| Founder | $199 | $100 discount available; second ticket for co-founder gets 50% off |
| Student | $149 |
The next pricing increase occurs after October 16. Founder Summit, formerly known as Early Stage and All Stage, targets investors, founders, and IT leaders seeking early access to innovation. TechCrunch said: "Founder Summit is the latest in our long line of founder-centric events, which are smaller and more hands-on than Disrupt." Attendees can apply to host their own Side Event during Founder Summit week.
